New paintings and regular art updates.
A fern in the corner of this photo from the Dorothy Clive Garden. The shapes really stand out against the darker background leaves. This is the sort of photo that I might duplicate and mirror. I look out for images that can be made into patterns. The deep maroon/purple is a good contrasting colour. I need to look through all my pictures to see if there are any more like this. I do take too many!
Beauty in a bloom,
Hidden shapes
Finding nectar
Bee time
Hover flies
Burnished ladybirds
Crawling, flying, scuttling.
Flowers feed them
They feed us.
Save the insects
Saving flowers
Saving us!
Up at the top of the waterfall in the Dorothy Clive Garden stands a life-sized statue of a stag roaring. It’s hidden in the trees on a path halfway up the sides of the quarry walls. This time we walked on the right path and found it! ❤️
I’m not sure what it’s made of but it might be cast bronze. It is so majestic and forceful, I think whoever made it did a brilliant job.
The little valley the waterfall runs into was full of rhododendron blossom a few weeks ago, but that has all gone now. But there are foxgloves and other tall flowering plants growing up to fill in the gaps. As you walk round the undulating base of the quarry you see an enclosed space, with different views round every corner. Dark and furry leaves, ferns, euphorbia in vibrant green, geraniums, dicentra (bleeding hearts). So interesting, I’d love to be able to find shade plants for our garden too.
We’ve got a good crop of raspberries coming on the bushes this year. It’s because hubby cut them right down at the end of last season. We’ve never really followed instructions for growing things. We’re more a ‘bung things in and see’ type of gardeners! This was last week. I need to take some more photos but my hay-fever is making my nose and eyes run so I’m staying inside. I hope we will have enough for a few to have with scones. Our cherry tree has more fruit on than I thought. A lot blew off in strong winds but we should get a decent crop when they ripen.
I wanted a birdbath/waterstation for small mammals. I decided to buy some plant pot saucers. Our garden is on a slope, so I’ve used bricks and a piece of wood to place them one above the other. I also used an oblong plant tray to hold more water. I’ve seen a blackbird nearby so I’m hoping it attracts them. I’ve put the saucers in an open area so they don’t get pounced on by cats. X
I have been potting on little plug plants again today. Fushias, lobelia, French marigolds, antirrhinum, trailing geranium and other plants. The garden at the side of the house is full of trees but the back yard is my domain. It is already full of Welsh poppies, a few small strawberry plants, small tomato plants, raspberries and other random plants. It’s getting quite like a jungle! I’m now waiting for a few hanging baskets I’ve ordered. I love my annual riot of colour!
I’ve spent a few more hours planting and tidying up our back yard. I’ve potted on a lot of little plug plants and the bees are busy gathering nectar and pollen. I’ll post a picture of the yard next, but photos are taking up too much space on my blog so I’m trying to limit what I post. Here you can see some of the colourful plants I have growing here.
Gardening, Yoga, Choir practice
All in one day!
Poppies to pot
Marigolds and lobelia
Plants bought needed tending.
Then oh!
Blissful Yoga
But with stretches
The Cobra and Sphinx
That have made my legs ache.
Finally, singing
Bunting still hanging
Samoan and Maori
English, fragrent and flowery.
So much in a few hours.
A good rest?
That will be best
X
While I was singing yesterday I spotted a stall selling plants. I got this poppy plant from them. When I got home it was tipping it down with rain so I left it in the bag in the living room. When I got up this morning one of the flowers had opened up in this beautiful red colour. I think the warmth has bought it out. I will put it out on the wall outside.
Our old peonies didn’t flower this spring but a new peony has come into bloom and its a pale creamy pin. Is a bright spot in a very overgrown jungle! Hubby asked if it was a poppy and I thought it would be until he showed it to me. I don’t even remember planting it.
Gardening takes hard work and effort. I wish I had the energy to do more of it. The garden needs a serious hacking back. Bringing light back in and reducing shade… Its actually quite frightening.
Mallaband-Brown